𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰: 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟒𝐊: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬!

𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟒𝐊: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬!

      The mysterious man sent his nephew to the care of two brave hedgehog heroes on the planet Mobius, so that there he would gain experience, knowledge and good manners, and also have a good time to celebrate the New Year. At this time, the famous hedgehogs themselves were preparing for the holiday and did not suspect anything.

***

      Almost like last year's snow is falling from the night sky outside. The sun is slowly setting into the sunset, and the residents of a small village were preparing to celebrate the New Year. Someone was cooking chestnuts, raisin puddings, baking cookies, peeling tangerines and apples, cutting salads and preparing drinks. Some people decorated their own and other people's houses with tinsel and garlands. And the rest dug a huge Christmas tree out of the forest. Yes, yes, they dug it out, not cut it down. After all, you can’t hurt such an innocent plant. Let him live and grow peacefully together with his roots! After all, if you cut it down, its corpse will wither over time. Everyone took a shovel and dug a large ditch around the pillar of a huge spruce tree until it eventually became supported by its roots and fell. Fortunately, no one and the tree itself were harmed. Having taken it around in unison, the Mobians dragged the huge spruce back to the village, planted it in the center of the city and buried the roots so that the tree would take root in their village. Having finished extracting and delivering the spruce, they began to decorate it with balls, toys and other crap. You already know this very well yourself. Even the blue hedgehog decorated this very spruce, running around and wrapping it in a garland, which had the smallest, but at the same time the brightest lights that could be clearly seen far from here. Having finished wrapping the tree, the super-speed one began to pull the end of the garland towards himself to attach it to the ground. — Strengthen your grip! — Knuckles commands, and Sonic answers him through gritted teeth: — I’ll figure it out without you! Instead of standing on the sidelines and commanding, it would be better to help! — So I help. I command you not to confuse anything. Come on, get strong! — the echidna commands and the hedgehog finally secures the end of the garland to the protruding iron pipe for the hydrant. When Knuckles walked away, Shadow stood up in his place. — Hello, faker. What, did you hurt your back? — It's not funny, Shadow! — Sonic expressed himself and, holding his back, pulled himself up. It just didn't work out. He stop like an oak tree and could not stand up straight without slouching. Shadow, grinning, rolled his eyes, walked up to Sonic, grabbed him by the waist from behind, lifted him up, and began to level him himself. Then the hedgehog’s vertebra crunched slightly, causing him to cry out briefly, and then Shadow let go of Sonic. The latter could now stand up straight. —Why did I come? I received your message. You said you needed help moving the tree and decorating it. — Yes, but you're late. I did everything myself without your help. That's why I almost broke my back. — That’s why I didn’t come. I don't want to break my back either. — Well, of course! You see, we have the perfect form of boasting. — Hey! Life! The ultimate life form! Make no mistake! — No, Shad, I think I said everything correctly. You're more of a deceitful form of boasting. After all, you just want to brag that you are so perfect and more perfect than everyone else in the world, but in reality you yourself can’t do anything so perfect and you yourself are essentially not perfect in practice... In character. You run around here and there and constantly tell everyone. — then Sonic began to imitate Shadow: — I am ultimate life form! I am absolutely better than everyone else in the world. — I’m not saying anything like that! — the ULF immediately became indignant. — You say, you say, don’t lie! If you really are so perfect, then prove it directly, and don’t brag to everyone left and right! If you really do something perfect, which no one, not even I, can achieve, then we will all recognize you as such. In the meantime, you are in fact for all of us, a liar-braggart. At such words, Shadow was seriously angry with Sonic and wanted to attack him and beat him, when suddenly Amy Rose interrupted this in time, running up to them and interfering in the conversation: — Sonic, Shadow, I have two bad news for you... Eggman is still not here! But he promised that he would bring us firecrackers for the fireworks. What the hell is New Year without firecrackers, huh? He probably started celebrating without us back in November, and now he’s probably lying around somewhere in his club. I see that you both are not busy yet? If so, then you both will have to find him and drag him here to us, to the village, by his mustache with our firecrackers! Sonic smiled at the hedgehog and said: — Of course, Amy. We will do everything. But why exactly should Shadow and I do this? Maybe one of us will do it? For example Shadow! He keeps bragging that he is a perfect form of life, so let him prove it and go get Yaikin himself! — No, no, no, Sonic. Both of you are needed here. One of you alone cannot handle this. — Rose stated. — Oh yes, I forgot! And also out of the blue came our nephew Rouge, who was thrown out of the G.U.N. military school when he, instead of practicing shooting a pistol, threw it like a throwing knife and often knocked all people off their feet with his long tail, because for his clumsiness. Rouge was glad to see him, but didn't want him to cause trouble for her as well. She asked me to look after him, but I’m busy myself, because I still need to finish the Snow Maiden costume for Cream. I would be grateful to both of you if you would take him with you, otherwise he’ll be the only one to mess up things here... — Oh no! A nightmare! — The black-scarlet hedgehog hit his forehead with his palm. — I’ll call him now. — said the hedgehog and walked away. — NO-O-O!!! — Sonic shouted, and then covered his mouth, afraid that everyone would look at him like he was crazy. — She needs to be stopped! — Maybe we should leave before she comes back with him? — Shadow whispered in Sonic's ear. Amy returned with her guest at this time. It was a large, half-human, half-scorpion, purple in color. He was slightly taller than three hedgehogs, and a very long tail with a sharp tip, like a dagger, protruded from his butt. The eyes, as befits the canon of all Mobians, consist of one eye with two pupils. True, he doesn’t wear gloves, because instead of nails, he has sharp claws on his fingers. And the shoes were black with spikes, like a biker’s. At his waist he had a black belt and, of course, also with spikes. Despite the fact that he looked healthy and scary, in fact he turned out to be friendly and young at heart, like a child. — Hello, my name is Luz Bucket. — the scorpion introduced himself. — Um... Your presence is a great honor for all of us! — the only thing Shadow could think of to say. — I couldn’t even imagine that we would be destined to become a team!” Luz said excitedly. — Well, when do we go on our unforgettable journey? Sonic and Shadow looked at each other thoughtfully and the first one spoke: — Okay, let's go... There was nothing to do. Two hedgehogs had to take a scorpion with them on the road and they set out on the road together. Away from the village, deep into the forest, whose paths have long been covered with snowdrifts. — «I hope they get along well? If Sonic and Shadow were already able to almost get along with each other, then maybe they will find a common language with this stupid scorpion?» — Amy thought and went about her business.

Some time later

Sonic, Shadow and Luz walked through the forest, walking, and walking, and walking, until along the way Sonic felt that he needed to get out. — Oh! Sorry, I was impatient about something. — said the hedgehog and ran out behind the left trees, moaning sometimes. When he returned from the forest and was just about to approach Shadow and Luz to go further, he suddenly felt a swelling in his stomach again. — A-a-ah! Again! — he said and ran back into the trees. — Amy told you not to eat so many chili dogs before the holiday! — Shadow scolded him. Two hours later. — It seems to be better now. — said Sonic and he, Shadow and Luz went further. Luz himself decided to talk to them on the way: — I heard about all your victories. Both common and separate from each other. I am your big idol! Or a fan! Or a fan! Or whatever is correct?... Well, in general, you understand me. I know about your battle against the Mitarex, and about the battle on the ARK colony, about the battle in the Sao dimension, and about the battle against Black Doom. And also about your exploits during the War of the Ghosts of the Past! — Very good. — Shadow answered without emotion. — I’m so tired... — Sonic said and stopped for a couple of seconds. Shadow and Luz stopped with him. — Nothing! Let's have a snack! — Luz suggested, turning to Sonic so that he almost pushed Shadow with his tail. Fortunately, the ULF managed to jump back. — Oh, sorry, Mr. Shadow!... Now I’ll try to catch a squirrel, and we’ll make a divine stew! — What... What are you talking about?! - Sonic asked him indignantly, as if Arthas from Warcraft. Scorpio raised his palms and asked a little scared: — Do you have better ideas? Don’t be afraid, we’ll sit in front of the fire, and I’ll tell you so many tales from my life! — Well, I do not! Better to just move on! - Sonic rolled his eyes and they moved on. Luz followed them and walked, and then spoke again, smiling: — I’m so jealous of your life, but my aunt bat considers me a jerk, incapable not only of holding a gun or equipment in his hands, but even of fighting with his own physical strength, like all of you... — said Bucket, moving away a little away from the hedgehogs and moving closer to one long and tall tree. — But she is wrong... I know it... Now I will prove to you that everything that Rouge told you about me is all a lie! Look! Sonic and Shadow stopped out of curiosity and approached the scorpion, and he swung his tail, or rather the sharp tip of his tail, as if he had cut a tree with an ax with one blow. Suddenly the tree began to lean towards Sonic. The latter at that moment was in shock and just stood there and watched as the tree fell on him, not even thinking at the last moment to run to the side or further away. Even Shadow was in shock and didn’t have time to even think of pushing Sonic away. The tree fell on the blue hedgehog, knocking him onto snowdrifts and crushing him in the areas of his right arm and right leg. Sonic even screamed in pain. Shadow immediately recovered from the shock and, worried about Sonic, tried to roll away the fallen log. True, this made Sonic even more painful, as if a giant kitchen rolling pin was rolling over his arm and leg, trying to flatten him like dough. Even Luz panicked: — Holy Chaos! Forgive me! I'm sorry! How are you okay, Sonic? — Are you kidding me?... A huge oak tree fell on me and rolled over me like a rolling pin... Now I won’t be able to run, jump or fight for a month. Shadow helped Sonic stand up on at least his only intact leg, while he held his right leg up and held his right shoulder with his left palm. The hedgehog was seriously angry with the stupid scorpion. — Now I understand why your name is Luz. You are a loser who always brings trouble and suffering to everyone. Rouge was right that you're a pathetic brat. — Well, please forgive me, I didn’t want this. I didn't know. — Luz almost cried. — Well, of course, you didn’t know. How could you know? If you learned to think with your brainless tail, you would not only be the smartest person in the world, but you wouldn’t cut down trees just so they would fall on someone and hurt someone! You are a pathetic and brainless Scorpio who thinks that you have strength, but you don’t need intelligence! Luz Bucket, from now on I strictly forbid you to appear in front of Shadow and me and follow us, so that we don’t suffer in some way because of you. Get out of our sight and don't come back, otherwise you'll have to deal with me! — Stop! — Shadow tried to reason with him. — That wouldn’t be right! — I have already decided everything! — say Sonic himself and turned his back to both. — Are you completely out of your mind, Sonic? — the black-scarlet one almost shouted at the blue one?! The unfortunate scorpion lowered his head and said: — I understand... understand... Me far from you all. I’d rather go back to the village and chop salads with Omega. Without me, you will cope faster, and I will only slow you down, because I am a burden... Goodbye! With these words, Luz got to his feet, turned around and slowly walked back, and at that time Sonic jumped further on his only intact leg. That is, in the opposite direction to Scorpio. Shadow stood still for now, looking first at Luz and then at Sonic. — You've crossed a dangerous line, Sonic! — he told him and wanted to run after the scorpion and at least calm him down, but Sonic shouted to him: — SHADOW!!! — Hearing the scream, Shadow turned to Sonic. — Let's go! Don’t worry, he will be able to fend for himself without our help!... If you want, you can follow him, and I, with my only intact arm and leg, will go on!... It doesn’t matter, with or without you! And with these words, Sonic hopped further on one leg. Shadow no longer knew what to choose now. Either go after Luz and take care of him yourself, and calm him down a little, or help Sonic find Eggman, because with such arms and legs he will be a burden no worse than Luz himself. Black-scarlet sighed heavily and decided to go further with Sonic. He ran up behind Sonic, wrapped his arms around him and sat him on them, like a bridegroom. Afterwards, Shadow himself walked on, holding Sonic in his arms and dragging him along.

Some time later

On the way, Shadow got tired of dragging Sonic, and his stomach began to growl and ask for food. The hedgehogs had to set up camp at this place for a short time. He put Sonic on the nearest rock, and he went into the forest to collect brushwood and catch squirrels. Having collected the required amount of brushwood and passed a couple of old and dead squirrels in the forest, he returned to Sonica to the same place, starting to race, creating brushwood. — Shadow! — What? — Why?... Why did you come back for me?... You could have left me and gone with him, but instead you decided to go with me, Why did you even drag me along with you?... You hate me. .. — Sonic’s words made Shadow’s eyes bulge and he calmly replied: — Sonic, I never said that I hate you. I’ve never talked about this... Yes, of course, sometimes you infuriate me and annoy me... But-oh-oh... Still, I like you... And I... I wouldn’t mind such a friend , like you, as fast as me and brave, who is not afraid to run to the rescue, even at the cost of his life... Moreover, you remember how I came to your aid a couple of times when you were almost on the verge of death against the enemy of the powerful. — But you also attacked me... You didn’t even explain why... Shadow's eyes widened again and he said: — Sorry! I was too serious then. I tried to find out something then, afraid that you might ruin it, and tried to prevent it. Although, maybe this is my fault too. After all, if I had not just stood in your way, but simply tried to talk to you and make sure that you were not doing this, then this would have been avoided. — Of course, Shad. You are my very best friend. I would immediately listen to you and do as you asked me. That's what friends are for! — I thought Tails was your best friend. Shadow said and Sonic laughed to the side. — Tails is my best friend, just like you. But I would like to have you, as a best friend, even more if, of course, you would communicate more with me, and not get into a fight or a racing competition, for example, a sworn enemy or rival. I never saw you as a rival, but never you?... Maybe we are too different to be together?... I even feel sorry for you... — From what? — it was not Shadow who differed. — Because you... Well, in general, you’re always like this!... Serious. I can be serious sometimes too, but I rarely act like that. I don’t want everyone to see me as some kind of evil hedgehog, an insignificant incident. I want everyone to see me as that hero, savior and hope. — when Sonic explained all this, Shadow had managed to light a fire by that moment. All that remained was to put two sticks and set them to roast over a white fire, like a shish kebab. — It’s not my fault that I’m like this. — Shadow continued, and Sonic began to listen to him carefully. Shadow told Sonic his entire backstory, he was only Rouge and Omega before this secret event, and also asked them not to tell anyone about it. Talked about how it was first built in the ARK colony, how because of G.U.N. His best friend Maria died, as well as Professor Gerald Robotnik, who created him many years ago to find a cure for Maria. That's why he became like this. Sonic listened to him and began to regret even more. — Shad... Dow... Why didn't you bother me about all this before? For the first time, the black-scarlet looked up at Sonic with his mouth slightly open, showing his new emotion for a change. He thought for a moment and said: — So this is... My personal... My inner pain, which... I don’t want to reveal to anyone... This... I can only trust... My loved ones... And my best friend... - in the last phrases, Shadow smiles at Sonic, and he smiles back at him. — ABOUT! The squirrel meat is almost ready. While Shadow was still fiddling with the finished white kebab, Sonic, thinking about all of Shadow's rules, remembered Luz Bucket. He wondered how this scorpion was doing without them? Looking at the fire, the hedgehog suddenly imagined a terrible picture. He imagined that the scorpion Luz was returning home all alone, and on his way wild white wolves suddenly appeared, attacked him and brutally killed him. Or worse! Polar bears tore the unfortunate scorpion to pieces with their slanting paws and chewed it to death. Or even worse! An ambush squad of white yetis attacked him, beat him to death with their bare hands, knocked him to the ground and began kicking him like hooligans. Sonic immediately felt ashamed of everything that he had said to him there, and his cheeks were swelling slowly from shame, and not from cold. At the same time, he grabbed his head with his hand. I wanted to take my right hand, but it still hurt after the tree fell. — What a fool I am! — What are you talking about? — Shadow didn’t understand him. — I shouldn’t have said all this rudely to him there. — Sonic explained and turned his gaze back. — We have to go back for him and quickly! Shadow smiled again and took Sonic into his arms again, dragging him along with him, and answered: — I'm glad you came to your senses! Apparently we haven’t talked to each other like this for a long time? So we could both change for the better even earlier. — Thank you, Shadow. — Just call me Shad! They quickly returned at super speed to the place where they parted with Luz and suddenly saw a sign in the middle of the road with the inscription — We have an eccentric big guy with a long and sharp tail!! Pay the ransom and we will release him safe and sound. Burdocks. — Oh no! We are late! - Sonic gave himself a right palm on his forehead. — Damn it! — Shadow cursed. — What should we do? — Sonic asked, and Shadow answered him: — We must save him, because we promised Amy that we were responsible for him. — Then what are we waiting for? Attack! Let's destroy them! — I wanted to raise my left hand and clench it into a fist, but when trying to lift it, I again felt pain and began to oh-oh-oh-oh. — No, no, Sonic. You can't cope with such an arm and leg. — Shadow answered and placed Sonic next to the sign. — You’d better stay here for now and wait for me, and I’ll quickly drive there and save him myself. — But, Shad! — Sonic, just me! I will definitely come back for you. Without arguing with him, Sonic remained in place to wait for him, and at that time Shadow himself ran into the thicket of the forest, where that very sign pointed. At first, Sonic wanted to stay and wait for him. However, his inner voice told him that Shadow could not cope without his help. Having gathered his courage, he firmly decided, with a broken arm and leg or with intact ones, but he was obliged to go with Shadow and help him.

In five minutes

Shadow walked slowly through the forest, taking his time, and finally reached the lair of the evil mug people, who were sitting in tents and discussing how they could do more mischief in order to mock other people and steal money. Taking out a Kalashnikov assault rifle hidden in the needles on his head, he opened fire on the burdocks. True, some of them had armored bulletproof vests. Some of the mugs managed to get their pistols and opened fire on the hedgehog, and the latter began to jump and dodge the bullets. And some took out knives and ran to attack hand-to-hand. One of the bullets did hit Shadow and the wounded man in the liver fell next to the Christmas tree. There was no longer any strength to try to dodge or run away. All that was left was to hold on to the wound until the regeneration took effect. They had already surrounded him and wanted to kill him, when suddenly someone opened fire on them. It was Sonic himself who jumped on his intact leg and held the same Kalashnikov assault rifle in his entire hand, trying to help Shadow. While Sonic was shooting the remaining clip at the mugs, they switched to him. Luz, watching from the cage, saw a black and scarlet hedgehog and shouted with joy: — SHADOW, SONIC!!! THESE ARE MY BEST FRIENDS!!! — Pray before you die! - one of the mugs shouted and ran to attack the blue hedgehog, when suddenly the cry of Doctor Eggman was heard: — ATTACK!!! THEY CAN'T LEAVE!!! Immediately, Eggman's robots ran out of the forest and entered into hand-to-hand combat with the mugs, finishing them off. Sonic himself, when he saw Eggman, was delighted with him: — EGGMAN, YOU CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE HOW TIMELY YOU APPEARED!!! Then Luz Bucket himself, using the tip of his tail, broke the lock of his cage, freed himself and also rushed to the attack, finishing off the remaining mugs. He stabbed one of them directly in the head with his tail, and he knocked out the other with one blow from his right fist. After defeating them, Shadow was the first to speak to Eggman: — Thank you for coming to the rescue at the very last moment. But if you had arrived a couple of minutes earlier, it would have been even better. — Well, forgive me! I was very busy. The old supply of firecrackers was used up during testing and we had to make a new supply, recheck and only then get ready for the journey. The main thing is that I finally did what you asked me to do. Well? Shall we go celebrate? — Eggman suggested, and Luz replied: — Yes, I’ve been wanting to have fun and dance around a huge Christmas tree for a long time. Eggman, his robots, and Luz walked through the forest towards the village. Shadow walked right behind them, not forgetting to take Sonic in his arms again. — I know you told me to stay there, but I had a suspicion that you couldn’t do it alone. — I couldn't leave you alone. — Sonic!... — after a minute of silence, the black and scarlet one, smiling, answers the blue one. — Thank you... Let's return home, we had a hard night.

A little later that night!

Luz Bucket was saved and together with him, Sonic, Shadow, as well as Dr. Eggman himself with the promised firecrackers returned home to the village. Sonic at this time was already sitting in a wheelchair, driven by Amy Rose. The right arm and right leg were wrapped in casts. Amy brought the wheelchair with Sonic closer to Luz and the hedgehog said: — Forgive me for everything I said to you. You were a true friend! — It’s okay, it’s my own fault. I just wanted to become just like you and Shadow! Rouge stepped out of the crowd and said: — Why would you be like these two morons? Just be yourself! Find your own path. It is not necessary to wave your tails and fists, or deceive yourself. Scorpio thought about it and answered: — But you’re right! Once upon a time as a child I dreamed of playing the piano. It's decided, I'll become a bard in a cafe! Surely you will sometimes come there and listen to me play any music? — Well, of course! You won't get bored! — Shadow answered. — Well. There is nothing left until the New Year, the table is set, and Eggman with firecrackers is here! It's time to rock out! - Tails said and everyone first began to dance around the tree. The famous Christmas jingle about jingle bells played in the background. The melody played, and everyone sang in their own way:       Sonic sings: ♪ Mobius! Mobius! ♪ ♪ It's decorated to the brim! ♪ ♪ There are balls hanging everywhere ♪ ♪ And the badniks are partying! ♪ ♪ Amy Rose! Amy Rose! ♪ ♪ Will buy sweets and roses. ♪ ♪ Well, I'll rest for now, ♪ ♪ I guess I won’t run again! ♪       Eggman sings: ♪ I'll get drunk on New Year's! ♪ ♪ I'll get drunk on New Year's! ♪       Shadow sings: ♪ Let's put up a Christmas tree ♪ ♪ and let's dance in a circle! ♪       Rouge sings: ♪ Knuckles, sing louder! ♪       Knuckles sings: ♪ Of course, my little bunny! ♪ ♪ Do do do do do do do do do ♪ ♪ Do do do do do do do... ♪       Amy Rose sings: ♪ Sonic and Shadow, Sonic and Shadow ♪ ♪ Best friends! ♪ ♪ Congratulations to all Mobians ♪ ♪ And even all humans! ♪       Sonic sings: ♪ Silver the Hedgehog! Hedgehog! ♪ ♪ Olivier brought it. ♪ ♪ In the cold me ♪ ♪ Looks like nose is frozen... ♪       Luz Bucket sings: ♪ I'll stay, I'll stay. ♪ ♪ I'll remain myself. ♪ ♪ Let anyone dare to insult me ♪ ♪ I'll punch that one in the nose right away. Hah! ♪ ♪ I believe! I believe! ♪ ♪ There will be more! ♪ ♪ When will I be the best ♪ ♪ Then you will respect me! ♪       Shadow sings: ♪ Princess Alice has arrived ♪       Sonic sings: ♪ And she Olivier ate everything. ♪       Shadow sings: ♪ And Mephiles mayby bullshit ♪ ♪ suddenly he started singing something... ♪       Tails sings: ♪ Thorandike, Chris! ♪ ♪ He bought us pilaf and rice. ♪ ♪ Believe me, this night ♪ ♪ We will remember it forever! ♪       Sonic sings: ♪ If you give it a thumbs up ♪ ♪ Your dreams will come true! ♪ ♪ See the magic ♪ ♪ New Year's beauty! Hey! ♪       Everyone sings in chorus: ♪ New Year! New Year! ♪ ♪ Greetings! ♪ ♪ Take Santa with you ♪ ♪ and come to us quickly! ♪ ♪ New Year! New Year! ♪ ♪ People demand it! ♪ ♪ Aziat-eyed Santa is coming to us ♪ ♪ is in a hurry for the New Year! ♪